Northwestern Welcomes New International Students

Record 1,500 students from around the world join the University community

September 11, 2014

The International Office has launched a survey for Evanston and Chicago residents who would be interested in hosting international students, scholars and their families this year. Contact Stephanie Cisneros with questions.

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University welcomes its largest-ever incoming class of international students -- 1,500 new students from more than 100 countries around the world.

The students will join more than 4,000 international students, scholars and family members already on Northwestern campuses. China, South Korea, India, Canada and Taiwan are the five countries most represented by this year's new international class.

The welcome began this summer with a new venture to help new students get a fast start. At a series of in-country receptions, International Office (IO) staff visited students and their families in Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

“We want our international students to feel at home,” IO advisor Debbie Kaltman said. “Even though they’re thousands of miles from their familiar communities, customs and first languages, we show them that they’re among friends here.”

To help smooth the transition and ease culture shock, the IO also is hosting orientation sessions in advance of campus-wide Wildcat Welcome (Sept. 16-22).

Undergraduate orientation activities include an \"Amazing Race\" in downtown Evanston, a trip to Chicago and information sessions on life at Northwestern.

Orientation events for graduate students include presentations on American academic culture, immigration, slang language and idioms.

At Wildcat Welcome, international students will come together with the entire Class of 2018 to share personal stories, learn how to manage college life and explore campus and surrounding neighborhoods.

The growing number of international students reflects key goals in Northwestern's strategic plan, We Will, strengthening the campus community through diversity and expanding the University's impact at home and abroad.

NOTE: The International Office is gearing up for its sixth annual \"Host an International for Thanksgiving\" event. The office has launched a survey for Evanston and Chicago residents who would be interested in hosting international students, scholars and their families this year. Contact Stephanie Cisneros with questions.